What Defines Your Ministry?

If a local youth pastor, parent, or friend were to ask you that question, how would you respond? The question at hand is not just about your programming, it’s about your DNA. If every resource and tool were stripped from your possession, the DNA of your ministry still exists. It’s the non-negotiable’s of your ministry.

If you’ve never pondered on the DNA of your ministry, may I encourage you to get away from the office for a day and spend some time with the Lord? If you have staff on your team, bring them along as well. Pray together. Ask for wisdom. Ask for vision. Ask for God to give you direction and strength.

But don’t just think about the DNA of your ministry being the gathering of your students. Think outside the walls. Think both the church gathered and the church scattered. What do you want to define your students when they are in their schools? On their athletic teams? Clubs?

May I offer a tip? Don’t just read people’s blogs on this, or another book, or another article in a another Youth Ministry magazine. There’s plenty of great resources out there, and I think you’d be crazy not to utilize them, but make those places secondary to the gospel.